Harkin and DeLauro statements

Just wrapped up the morning meetings here at the FFVA. Round table discussion with John McClung, Mike Stuart, Tom Nassif and Emanuel Lazopoulos illustrated many points of agreement on food safety, the farm bill, pest issues and immigration. The industry is still not totally in sync on where to next on food safety, whether that means federal marketing order, FDA regulation, legislation or state-based program. There are many uncertainties, to be sure. Meanwhile, the Dole lettuce recall prompted this statement today from Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.
Here is the statement:


Harkin: Latest American Recall
Has International Implications

Senate legislation to be introduced later this week

Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today issued the following statement on the recall of Dole's Hearts Delight bagged salad due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Eighty-eight cases - or 528 bags – of the bagged salad were distributed in Canada and 755 cases containing 4,530 bags in the U.S., according to Dole.

“From bagged salad with E. coli to spinach that contains Salmonella, food safety is increasingly becoming a concern for American consumers as they visit the produce aisle,” said Harkin. “Not only is this a concern for domestic producers and consumers, but now we’re seeing American produce recalls have international implications. It is long past time for Congress to act and later this week, I intend to introduce legislation to restore confidence in American produce and the agency that regulates it.”

Harkin is preparing to reintroduce legislation he has previously proposed to set up a national program that would require food safety practices for growing and processing fresh produce at most risk of causing foodborne illness.



And from Rep. Rosa DeLauro

DeLauro Welcomes Additional Voice in Supporting
Stronger Food Safety System
Announces Upcoming Hearing to Address Import Safety

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement welcoming the proposal for improved food safety from the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

The proposal, as well as the federal government’s ability to ensure the safety of food imports, will be addressed at an oversight hearing on food imports Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 10:30 AM in Room 2362A of the Rayburn Building (witness list forthcoming). DeLauro chairs the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee, with jurisdiction and oversight responsibilities of food safety operations and its budget.

“Momentum is clearly growing for strengthening and modernizing our nation’s food safety system. I welcome the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s proposal to improve the inspection of imported foods and ingredients and look forward to closely reviewing the details of the proposal during the hearing next week.

“Given the major recalls this year, their announcement today sends a very strong message that the industry recognizes the inadequacy of voluntary measures to protect public health and reassure American consumers that their food is safe. It is yet one more voice highlighting the need to change our system to one that seeks to minimize hazards by applying science based controls and focus our system on preventing food-borne illness not just reacting when outbreaks occur.”